KEY SCRIPTURE
”I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.“ (John 10:11 KJV)
WHO IS A SHEPHERD?
A shepherd is a person who tends, feeds or guards a flock of sheep. For example, in the Old Testament, Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and Amos were all shepherds. The scripture says concerning two of them as examples: “…And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.” (Genesis 4:2b KJV) “Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.” (Amos 7:14 NIV)
By extension, a shepherd is – or better put, a metaphor for – a leader over the congregation of God’s people.
The scripture says: “In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ (2 Samuel 5:2 NIV)
The focus is however on shepherding people rather than sheep. But there are lessons to learn from shepherding sheep in shepherding people.
How did Jesus relate the shepherd imagery to himself?
”I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.“ (John 10:11 KJV)
Then the scripture says: ”Know ye that the LORD he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.“ (Psalm 100:3 KJV)
The sheep here is also figurative.
The shepherd’s life is a hard one. He’s constantly faced with challenges – from predators to inclement weather, to difficult terrain, to thieves and robbers. In spite of these challenges, a shepherd protects, provides for, nurtures, cares for, leads, guides, and multiplies his flock. It’s just as tough for the shepherd over the congregation. The devil is mad at him, so he is prone to spiritual attacks. The devil takes aim at the shepherd so the sheep can scatter and fall prey.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
1. The Good Shepherd looks after his sheep – “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and
look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” (Ezekiel 34:11&12 NIV)
2. He feeds and protects his sheep – “The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want.
He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.” (Psalms 23:1-2 AMP)
3. He gives them spiritual nourishment – “He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalms 23:3 AMP)
4. He protects, guides and comforts his sheep – “Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear
no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.” (Psalms 23:4 AMP)
Why is this guidance important? Every choice you make matters, whether small or big, so your shepherd wants you to call on him to guide you in all your choices. You’re going to live with the choices you make, so better choose well.
5. He is compassionate – “When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd [waiting], and He was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd [lacking guidance]; and He began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34 AMP)
6. He gives abundant life to the sheep – The Good Shepherd is the life giver: ”The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.“ (John 10:10 KJV)
7. He is prepared to die for his flock – It’s such a great price to pay for the sin of others: “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:15 KJV)
Jesus said in John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep”. It has been pointed out that in the Old Testament the sheep died for the shepherd whereas in the New Testament the Shepherd will die for the sheep. Homer Kent wrote: “Many shepherds died while defending their flocks. There were knives and clubs of robbers to be faced, as well as the attacks of wild animals. In their cases, however, death was always unintended.”
Christ, on the other hand, was also to die for his sheep in order to save them, but he was going to do so voluntarily.
David painted a picture of the Good Shepherd as follows: “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.” (1Samuel 17:34-35 KJV)
He must have reflected on his own life and realised the Lord has been his shepherd. This is reflected in his psalms.
As a shepherd, can you take the bullet for your flock?
8. He enters the sheepfold by the door – The scripture likens the hireling to a robber in contrast to the Good Shepherd:
”Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.“ (John 10:1-2 KJV)
9. He unifies the flock – Rather than engage in divide and rule as bad shepherds do, Jesus unifies the flock.
The scripture says: ”And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.“ (John 10:16 KJV)
This refers to bringing Jews and Gentiles together. Now we’re all one: ”There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.“ (Galatians 3:28 NLT)
10. He cherishes relationship with his sheep – Just as the shepherd calls his sheep by name and they follow him as they know
his voice (John 10:3-4), so also God knows those who are his: “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19 KJV)
Partnership between the shepherd and the sheep is very essential to the survival of the sheep just as it is for our survival as the sheep of the Good Shepherd’s pasture. That is what guarantees our real existence. God cherishes this relationship, hence the scripture says: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…” (James 4:8a KJV)
WATCH OUT FOR THE BAD SHEPHERD
The devil – whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy – is the ultimate bad shepherd. He has his own sheep who have sold their souls to him – usually for wealth and fame.
What are the characteristics of the bad shepherd?
1. He leads his flock to hell – The devil also has disciples, his flock – devil worshippers who call him master and do his bidding.
He leads his own followers to hellfire while Jesus the Good Shepherd gives his own eternal life.
The scripture makes the distinction clear: ”A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real
and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.“ (John 10:10 MSG)
2. He’s more like a hireling – The bad shepherd is more like a hireling. His style is noted here: ”But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.“
(John 10:12-13 KJV)
He couldn’t care less. The hireling also plays the shepherd’s role, but from a negative perspective. He’s a fake shepherd. He often engages in rustling.
3. He scales the fence into the sheepfold – Jesus exposes the bad shepherd’s modus operandi: ”“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!“ (John 10:1
NLT) While the Good Shepherd would stand at the door and knock (Revelation 3:20), the bad shepherd would just scale the fence and barge in. No decency, no courtesy.
4. He manipulates the flock – Some bad shepherds try to manipulate the flock, turning them into robots, making humans eat grass, transforming them into donkeys (so to say) and riding on them, and such like despicable things. The victims are those who cannot tell the difference between being submissive and being subservient. They don’t care to check the bad shepherd’s instructions against the Lord’s manual, his word.
5. He’s negligent and selfish – The scripture says this attitude incurs the wrath of God: “Therefore, you [spiritual] shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: “As I live,” says the Lord God, “certainly because My flock has become prey, My flock has
even become food for every predator of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; therefore, you [spiritual] shepherds, hear the word of
the Lord: ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My flock from them and make them stop tending the flock, so that the shepherds cannot feed themselves anymore. I will rescue My flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.” ’(Ezekiel 34:7-10 AMP)
6. He props up pseudo-shepherds to distract and mislead – Having multiple shepherds causes confusion. Some believers have multiple shepherds onsite and online. When there’s no unity of command, the sheep are sometimes exposed to conflicting doctrines. Apostle Paul sounds a note of warning: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel different than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
Let me make it clear: Anyone, no matter who they are, that brings you a different gospel than the gospel that you have received, let them be condemned and cursed!” (Galatians 1:8-9 TPT) It is immaturity to be blown by every wind of doctrine:
“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” (Ephesians 4:14 NLT)
The principle of unity of command is embedded in the words of Jesus, the Good Shepherd: “I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.”
(John 10:16 NLT)
Absalom’s revolt against his father David violates this principle: “And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel…And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.” (2 Samuel 15:6, 12 KJV)
WHY DOES THE SHEEP NEED A GOOD SHEPHERD?
1. Sheep have no sense of direction – The following three scriptures buttress this point: “All of us like sheep have gone astray, We have turned, each one, to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6a AMP)
“O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life].” Jeremiah 10:23 AMP)
Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the LORD. How then can a man [fully] understand his way? (Proverbs 20:24 AMP)
2. Sheep are vulnerable – One of the most interesting characteristics of sheep is that they cannot defend themselves. Just as most of us cannot defend ourselves. Our defence is in the Lord.
This scripture readily illustrates this point: “But in the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.”(Psalm
94:22 KJV) Wolves are constantly on the prowl, so the sheep must remain under the shepherd’s protection so as not to fall prey. The same goes for every child of God.
How do the sheep survive in a world of wolves? The default position for a man is to be independent, often saying, ‘I don’t want to be controlled.’ The problem is, we are like sheep, living in a world full of wolves. Unfortunately for the sheep, it is meat for the wolf and the world is a jungle. In a jungle, anything and everything can happen. That is why God wants man dependent on Him as our Shepherd and not independent of Him.
The scripture laments and warns: “They were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the predators of the field.” (Ezekiel 34:5 AMP)
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT)
One more warning: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15 KJV) Without the shepherd’s protection, the sheep are susceptible to harm. The Job example illustrates the sheep’s vulnerability: “Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!” (Job 1:9-10 NLT). The moment the wall of protection around Job and his house came down, Job was vulnerable to attack.
3. Sheep are not meant to carry burdens – You will never see sheep carrying a heavy pack on their back. Unlike the beasts
of burden, sheep are not meant to carry heavy loads, or they would be crushed under such a weight.
This is why God compares us to sheep. We were not meant to carry our burdens. We are to give Him our heavy load so He can carry it for us.
Two scriptures to illustrate this:
“Cast your burden on the LORD [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).” (Psalm 55:22 AMP)
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT)
4. A wandering sheep will mis-manage scarce resources – The Prodigal son is a reference point: “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.” (Luke 15:13-14 NIV)
5. A wandering sheep is limited in knowledge – A wandering sheep has ‘tunnel vision’ and can’t see around the corner. With the Shepherd, you get insight: “Jesus told the disciples…”I have told you these things before they happen….” (John 14:29 NLT)
Remember what God said to Isaiah: “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isaiah 46:10 KJV)
6. The sheep’s gift may require nurturing – The shepherd helps to discover and nurture the sheep’s gifting. The scripture
says: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” (1 Timothy 4:14 KJV)
7. Sheep cannot care for themselves – When sheep get injured, they cannot care for themselves. The scripture says: “I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak…” (Ezekiel 34:16a&b NLT)
As the sheep of his pasture, let the Good Shepherd choose for you as every choice you make matters, whether small or big. A sheep, no matter how matured, cannot look after itself, so there is no matured believer that will not need a shepherd. In a world full of wolves and challenges, a wise sheep needs the Good Shepherd. Many don’t come close to fulfilling their destiny because they lack a God- ordained shepherd over their lives.
THE SHEEP’S OBLIGATION TOWARDS THE SHEPHERD
1. Must be submissive – The whole point of being likened to a sheep is to be submissive. This is the No. 1 obligation of the sheep to the shepherd: “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17 KJV)
2. Must not behave like goats – Goats have a reputation for stubbornness. Here’s what awaits them: “He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.” (Matthew 25:33, 41 NLT)
3. Must refrain from wandering off – A wandering sheep gets lost and is in danger of the wild beast of the jungle. It thus complicates the already onerous task of the shepherd. This scripture speaks to us as the sheep of his pasture: “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6 NLT)
4. Must recognise the shepherd’s voice and follow him – ”And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.“ (John 10:5 KJV)
”My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:“ (John 10:27 KJV)
Do you know the Good Shepherd’s voice? You get to know his voice only by acquainting yourself with his word. What does his word say? When the falcon cannot hear the falconer, as we all know, things fall apart
